Main image courtesy of Technology Network.
Have you ever heard of exosomes? Not to worry if you haven’t. Although they have been known to scientists since at least the 1980s, it is only recently that the multitude of benefits these extracellular vesicles have has come to light. So what exactly are exosomes, and why might you be interested in learning more about them, especially when it comes to hair loss solutions?
Well, keep reading, because in this article we’re going to cover all you need to know about these helpful components of our body, including:
- What exactly exosomes are
- What they can be used to treat, including their benefits as a hair loss solution
- How exosomes are administered to regrow hair
What Are Exosomes?
Let’s Discuss A Little More About What Exosomes Are And Where They Come From
Exosomes are formed inside cells, and are designed to communicate with and act as receptors to other cells. Image courtesy of European Biotechnology.
Not to worry, you don’t need to dust off your high school biology textbook to understand what exosomes are, as it’s pretty straightforward! Exosomes are extracellular vesicles that are designed to communicate with other cells of the body, and carry important biological material such as lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Almost all of the cells located in our bodies have exosomes, which demonstrates how crucial they are for intercellular communication.
These kinds of extracellular vesicles are originally formed within the cell itself. Although the exact process of exosome creation is still being documented, scientists believe they can be formed in a few ways. One of the common methods for exosomes to be released from the cell is as it develops, it will eventually fuse with the cell membrane. Because exosomes can easily go through cell barriers, it will then be ejected out on its specific course.
Exosomes can also develop by simply “budding” out of the cell. Researchers are still determining what accounts for the variety of ways that exosomes can form.
Every exosome has a very particular job to do depending on the type of cell it originates from, and it might involve interacting or communicating with nearby cells, or its mission could involve acting as a receptor with cells in another area of the body in order to trigger a response. A cell accepts an exosome in a similar way in which they were formed, by absorbing it through the cell membrane. Because exosomes can carry proteins, lipids, and RNA, they are capable of altering the behavior of the cell that accepts them. This is why a renewed interest in these extracellular vesicles has taken place over the past decade. If exosomes can change the behavior of cells, they could be incredibly helpful at fighting diseases such as cancer, or repairing damage from events such as a heart attack.
Exosomes are not the only type of extracellular vesicle that cells use, but they are one of the smallest and typically are around 40-150 nanometers in size. Scientists have known about these vesicles since the 1980s, however, they were originally believed to only transport waste away from cells. It has only been within the last 30 years that researchers have seen that exosomes are capable of doing so much more.
What Can Exosomes Be Used To Treat?
Interest In The Benefits Of Exosomes Has Grown
Exosomes may be able to help with hair restoration. Image courtesy of AZ Hair Restoration.
Now that we know a little more about what exosomes are and where they come from, it’s time to discuss what they can be used for. The scientific community now knows that these extracellular vesicles are used for so much more than cellular waste removal. There are some major benefits that exosomes can offer us, and are a fast-growing treatment for a variety of conditions.
Hair Loss
Perhaps one of the most exciting benefits that exosomes have is in the realm of hair restoration, whether from male pattern baldness or one of the symptoms of long covid. Exosomes are a product of the cell that they come from. And when they come from a healthy stem cell for example, they are capable of healing and regenerative actions.
When it comes specifically to hair loss, there is a therapy available at the Medical Man Cave that uses exosomes from the regenerative Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC). This type of cell is chosen in particular because its exosomes contain growth factors designed to stimulate healing and increase the communication between cells in hair follicles.
These exosomes are ideal to work with the cells responsible for hair growth. When applied, they can deliver exactly what is necessary to help increase growth and stimulate the cells of the hair follicle. Because their cargo specifically includes the regenerative properties of the Mesenchymal stem cell, exosomes administered in this way could be just the help you need when it comes to growing back your hair in just a few months.
Inflammation
Many of the medical conditions and functionality problems we develop as we age are a result of an increase in inflammation. Inflammation occurs when the immune system is overactive, which can result in a variety of problems from heart disease, to arthritis, to neurodegeneration.
As we age, the risk of chronic inflammation seems to increase, but exosomes may be able to help with that. In studies, scientists have found that as we get older, there seems to be less exosomes in our system. There also appeared to be a certain type of exosome that was present–those designed to work with the cells that fight off infections.
Scientists found that these older exosomes may actually be contributing to the inflammatory response in the body, since they are the product of a diseased cell. Knowing this, exosome levels can give doctors a good indication of what exactly is going on when it comes to the levels of inflammation a patient is experiencing.
One way they might help fight this inflammatory response is with the introduction of younger exosomes from restorative cells such as stem cells. Much like with the hair loss therapy, exosomes from stem cells could help restore the body and limit the inflammation response that leads to many age-related diseases.
Fatigue And Long Covid Symptoms
Many people who have had covid-19 are still dealing with the long-term symptoms months after the virus has run its course. One of the most common symptoms of covid long haulers is fatigue, which prevents people from getting back to normal and feeling like themselves again.
It seems that exosome treatments may also be able to help with this. Getting a regenerative boost from the exosomes of stem cells may be a good way to let your body know that the inflammatory response can come to a halt, as the threat from the virus has passed. This may allow you to start to regain your energy, decrease any lingering inflammation, and begin to look and feel your best.
What Is Exosome Treatment Like?
What Can You Expect From An Exosome Treatment At The Medical Man Cave?
At the Medical Man Cave, we use ExoFlo in exosome treatments for hair loss. Image courtesy of Medical Man Cave.
So what exactly is our exosome treatment like, and what can you expect?
- Your treatment will occur in office, and is similar to the Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment we provide.
- The exosomes in ExoFlo are administered to the target area by injection.
- The amount of treatments you require for hair growth depends on your particular situation.
- Many patients see enhanced results when they combine the exosome treatment with another hair restoration therapy.
- See results in as soon as three months.
Scientists are just beginning to understand all the potential benefits of exosomes. If this hair restoration treatment is right for you, make sure to schedule a time to come in and discuss!